Public can now request a piece of Mahon's iconic Monkey Puzzle tree

The public can now apply to take home a piece of Mahon's landmark Monkey Puzzle tree, which came crashing down as a result of Storm Ellen.

St Michael’s Credit Union on the Skehard Road was quick off the mark last month with a generous offer to replace the Monkey Puzzle tree.

In a statement issued yesterday, the credit union said there has been great progress over the past few days in relation to the original Monkey Puzzle tree and how best to use the wood.

"Following a very productive meeting between O’Callaghan Properties, St Michael’s Credit Union, Cllr Kieran McCarthy and Dr Eoin Lettice of UCC, a plan has been developed to distribute the felled iconic Monkey Puzzle tree back to the community where it was here for approximately 161 years," they said.

The tree was the remnant of an old nineteenth century estate called Lakelands.

The mansion on the estate was developed by the Crawford family of brewing fame.

The original Monkey Puzzle tree will now live on through a number of different projects.

Wood from the tree has been given to groups such as Cork’s Sculpture Factory and Benchspace. 

Such groups "possess the skills to make beautiful pieces from the wood, as it deserves", the credit union has said.

A section of the tree will also be provided to University College Cork for educational purposes.

St Michael's has said it is now engaging with local businesses, sports clubs and other organisations to see if they would like to acquire a piece of this historic tree.

The public may also apply to have a small block of wood from the tree.

"Collectively the decision has been made to also offer blocks sized approximately 30 cm x 23 cm from the tree to members of the public for them to use and remember this iconic tree.

"This is an initiative that gives the tree back to those from within the Blackrock and Mahon areas who had enjoyed the tree for generations," St Michael’s stated.

The news that Mahon’s Monkey Puzzle tree is to be given a second lease of life throughout the community was welcomed by Local area rep for Labour Peter Horgan.

"It makes sense that the seeds from Crawford’s tree would spread," he said.

"I look forward to the artists producing work that can live on in the community," Mr Horgan continued.

If you would like to request a piece of the tree, you can visit stmichaelscu.ie to complete a short registration of interest form.